How To Fix A Shrunken Wool Sweater

[@Geotubest]

Can't believe how many imbeciles make negative comments about a presentation that was only trying to help people. Kukos to you for putting in the time for this informative video. I'll try this method. Cheers.

[@TheWilderness333]

Thanks man! I appreciate your words and hope the method helps. :)

[@leahc8347]

🙌

[@michaelfuller8940]

It worked! Thank you! I've held on to a thick lambswool XL Banana Republic sweater I washed when a plumber had swapped hot and cold. Mom gave it to me for Christmas years ago so it was extra-special especially since she's passed now. I figured one day I'd go to China where it was made or pay a traveling friend to get a copy made. I watched a few similar YT videos plus read comments for tips. I actually put my sweater on while stretching. Much, much better. I used Garnier Smoothing Conditioner with Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter. Thank you again for helping so many!

[@IbizaInnercity]

i literally laughed loud when you said "hard to believe but I don't usually use conditioner" :D I feel you, bro :))

[@emmafromcanada7200]

My mom decided to do something nice for me so she did my laundry. She shrunk my favourite tuque.

[@neilallen7491]

managed to bring my expensive fred perry jumper back from the dead doing this...Cheers mate

[@TheWilderness333]

+Neil Allen Awesome! Glad it worked for you. :)

[@ferroxhunter8092]

Lol expensive and Fred Perry don’t belong in the same sentence😝 50£ jumper 😂😂

[@marlenehuber35]

I was skeptical but this is amazing. Really easy. My favorite Christmas sweater almost went in the trash. Thanks to this guy, I can wear it again.

[@kerryc]

Just to help & teach others something I learned from my grandmother; instead of using detergents or Woolite to wash ANY natural fabrics (wool, silk, bamboo, hemp, etc.), use a shampoo! I tend to use better quality brands such as Paul Mitchell & Nexxus, but a cheaper brand, esp. of baby shampoo should be fine too. I use conditioner as "fabric softener" for natural fabric & I'm wondering why I never knew this trick used in the video? To save yourself time & little blobs of conditioner being stuck in the fabric, mix the conditioner in a container w/ warm water in a cup or small container, & adding more water in small increments until it is diluted before adding it to the machine, sink or container you're soaking it in. I have learned that using a top loader washing machine (with cold, or lukewarm water) on gentle or, if available, soak cycle is safe enough for washing/soaking natural fabric but it's the spin cycle & dryer which is EVIL! If you ever need to tighten up a stretched out sleeve; dip it in hot water & use a hair dryer on it which will cause the wool to felt up (shrink) so watch that you don't go too crazy doing this. Thanks for this video.

[@xxjinnisx9820]

can i use the ordinary shampoo instead of baby shampoo? like loreal paris, sunsilk or pantene?

[@kerryc]

Xxjinnisx I didn't say baby shampoo & the best types to use are those with conditioners in them, so any of those you'd listed would be fine. :)

[@xxjinnisx9820]

Kerry Cook okay thanks for the great explanation 🤗🙆

[@mintyfresh7653]

I will get back

[@FloresNathaniel]

Did this with my favourite merino henley that shrunk upto my belly button. But since it's quite thin and fast drying I actually put it on while damp, stretching it out where needed and just let it dry while wearing it. Now it comfortably drapes below my belt again! Very useful fix :)

[@TheWilderness333]

Nathaniel Florés Awesome! Glad it worked for you

[@ballerinablush5436]

that sounds so hard lol wearing wet wool if it was wool but genius

[@mpodevin]

I put a Marino Wool sweater from Banana Republic just in the warm wash and it shrunk from XL to the size of a 8 year old child...I think it really depends on the weave/density or something. Also, slipping the right kind of chair into it and using some clamps is a good way to get it stretched everywhere except for the arms.

[@gill4liife]

Thanks man! This helped a lot, except, I decided to wear it and stretch it on myself so it stretches in the right areas

[@TheWilderness333]

G Squared Glad it helped!

[@cheryltrisco1076]

wow thank you so so much for this video!!! I cried when I saw what happened to my sweater after it came out of the washer.First experience with wool

[@TheWilderness333]

Thanks! I'm sorry that happened, it's a bummer for sure. Hope it works, if it's not enough after the first time, try a second.

[@joynicholson3385]

Thank you. A very useful tip. Water can be a very good stretcher as well but instead of hanging or laying flat, lay the jumper at an angle with the centre line highest. Some drying racks lens themselves to this. So glad you did the video

[@linoxa96]

i was sceptical in beginning but when i tried, it works ... thanks a lot for this great hint

[@Quetzacoalt13]

Same here. I put virgin wool in the washing machine (but not the dryer fortunately). It shrunk by 2 sizes at least (from XL to M). With your technique I regained 1 size or 1 size and half back in length. It is tighter in width, Texture is different though, softer I would say. But actually I do prefer. Thanks dude!

[@TheWilderness333]

Awesome. Glad it helped :)

[@annieli8379]

shrunk my wool and now I am here. thanks, you legend :')

[@davidscott5595]

I've even had trouble with merino wool. Thanks for this video. I'm going to stretch them out this summer.

[@sumtingwong3626]

I love the other people say wool can't be un shrunk. I actually have done a similar thing with jeans and water and it does work. Thank you for this video. Totally trying this.

[@TheWilderness333]

Awesome! Hope it works for you.

[@yardrail3432]

Well done young man ...helpful people like you are the reason I love u tube...many thanks

[@TheWilderness333]

yard rail thank you! I appreciate it

[@adivinesoul]

my washing machine has a woo/silk programme. BTW almost all washing machines in Europe have such a programme anyway. To test it out I used an old 100% wool jumper using a wool/silk washing liquid which you can buy in every supermarket. The washing cycle itself was very, very gentle. It even spun the jumper very gentle. The jumper was not dripping wet when I took it out of the machine. I then reshaped the jumper a bit and then hung it up on a padded hanger ! Result: PERFECT !!!! No shrinkage at all ! People say you cannot wash a mixed wool coat in a washing machine. My son's coat was pretty dirty and smelly (he smokes) and it had some paint stains which I was unable to remove with whatever I used. I thought before paying for an old dufflecoat £15.00 for dry cleaning I will take the risk to put in the washing machine. Turned the coat inside out, used the wool/silk cycle etc and a fabric conditioner. Because the coat was not dripping wet when I took it out of the machine I decided to put it on a hanger to dry in my garden. Result: PERFECT ! The coat was super clean and smelt nice - No shrinkage at all !

[@TheWilderness333]

Mona Lisa That’s awesome! Glad it worked. I’ve washed wool on the gentle cycle as well and it’s fine. What’s shrinks them is putting them in the dryer, that’s what will do the damage. Thanks for watching!

[@dadada486]

i'm a complete novice with wool, and so the other day i managed to shrink a sweater. Your method seems to be one of the most popular so trying it out right now. Fingers crossed!

[@HelloEla1]

did it work ?? lol

[@TheWilderness333]

Good luck! Hope it worked. I made a second video that's really recent, same process but I spread the wet sweater over a laundry basket. Stretched out even more and dried faster.

[@unclemikeb]

What you did seemed to work great. FYI. There are such things as stretchers. They are just a framework with long sleeves. The ones I saw at grammas had a hook at the top. Just wash, place it on the stretcher frame, and allow to drip in the sink, bath tub, or on clothesline. Wool is the best to wear in cold weather. It won't hold moisture so you actually ARE warmer with wool. I keep a wool turtleneck in the saddle bags of my motorcycle. Merino is great as first layer. No itch.

[@wmjessemiller]

oh man... Bought my first expensive wool coat and dumb me cycles it through the washer and dryer..

[@benjidog1514]

William Miller did the same 😩

[@davidingrum7620]

William Miller )

[@escueme]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@rittiktyagi885]

Seriously man!!!!....it sucks😭....i just hope this method works. I wore my wool jacket only once. Dont know why i washed it. Now only a toddler can fit inside😄

[@twsbibanghorn7343]

I just bought a British Wooly Pully and it is a little too small and I will give your technique a go. Many thanks.

[@xxjinnisx9820]

have you give a try?

[@twsbibanghorn7343]

+Xxjinnisx Sorry I forgot to post. Yes it does work. I fixed a British woolly which is thick wool. I am going to do again as I was being cautious. the arms need to be a little longer.

[@carrierodman7491]

Great video. I especially like the spirit orbs flying around you in the beginning of the video.;-)

[@TheWilderness333]

Ha ha, yeah, that was a little weird wasn't it.

[@svarog8126]

yeahh, that is dust particles that is being lit.

[@giulianap.3921]

OMG....it really works!!!!! thank u!!!!! you just saved my sweater!!!

[@kimberlilly1127]

Great video...I have heard of using this method , but when it is wet with conditioner you can pull it over a chair, like a dining room chair or even a computer desk chair, and let it dry. TFS

[@TheWilderness333]

Thanks! That's a really really good idea about the chair. Wishing I thought of that. lol :) I'm going to try that one for sure next time. Thanks again.

[@soraiabloom2564]

no to merino wool in the dryer. thats y I'm here lol

[@JudyAbbott494]

THANK YOU

[@TheWilderness333]

Prenses Nada awesome! Hope it works too! :)

[@yepshesblonde34]

thank you so much for taking the time to make this video! It helped me a ton

[@arijitchakravarty8968]

Great video - love the use of weights to stretch out !!

[@samgeurdi6351]

I love the fact that you're bald and talk about hair conditioner but glad you made this video xd

[@Brooke-ne8mc]

Thx so much for this video!! I thought I lost my sweater for good . This actually worked

[@p3p3lvr]

thank you so much for the video🌹 my sweater is back to its size xoxo

[@Megan-zz2co]

I have a merino wool Canada goose jumper, and I’m going to try thing to see if it works …fingers crossed 🤞🏻

[@TheWilderness333]

Good luck! Hope it works

[@mitchelldallarosa4293]

You cannot put merino wool in the dryer. I just did it and it ruined my scarf. That's how I came across this video. I will try your recommendations.

[@naomidiaz5272]

Yours is the ONLY un-shrink video I've seen that uses an actually shrunken thing and goes through the process with it and shows the result. Thank you! Now that some time has gone by, did it stay comfortable to wear?

[@TheWilderness333]

Naomi Diaz Thanks! Yeah, over time it has kept its shape and if I have ever wanted one to be bigger I could do it twice.

[@mamaobama7132]

PLEASE DO NOT PUT MERINO WOOL IN THE WASHER my sweater got ruined

[@kerryc]

+I HAVE NO NAME I do it all the time, just don't let it get to the spin cycle!!!

[@kerryc]

***** This would've been the perfect time to soak it w/ hair conditioner & stretch it back into shape! As long as it's not dried, you have a higher chance of saving it.

[@wdanowel4331]

There are wool programs on most washing machine. You only need to notice that.

[@juliamcintyre5012]

Put it on a 30* wash but NEVER in the dryer. Do what that lady - Queen of clean - does. It works better than this guy's efforts and is much easier to do!

[@paxmowa]

You should dissolve the conditioner in a small container with a bit of water first so you can really beat it with a whisk or fork or something.

[@soulbot119]

hey that's a good idea...

[@mtlicq]

when washing wool, I learned to use, in a full washing-machine (delicate cycle) tub of lukewarm water, 1/4 teaspoon, tiny amount, of specialty kind of high quality shampoo (GLISS ulimate hair repair) made with some natural oil and/or Keratin and/or lanolin, that is altogether, delicate, and "moisturizing" for hair. Double rinse afterwards, and do not use fabric softeners. Let air dry, hang upside-down on a wash line, and not in hot sun. It gets clean, and _never shrinks,_ and smells good. Whatever is most gentle on skin/scalp AND doesn't dry out your hair, or actually rebuilds it, is good for your wool too, if you use a tiny tiny amount in lots of water. Works well indeed!

[@Andrew-rc3vh]

Those large plastic clamps you get in DIY shops might be useful in fixing its shape during stretching. Try clamping it to a board.

[@Thelonelyscavenger]

I usually hang dry on a clothes hanger and stretch a bit, but I think I'll try the conditioner! Thanks!

[@theangryirishitalian7238]

good work mate but I just wanted to let you know.. these are called 5 button OD Jumpers and are WWII/ Korea vintage. Sizes were different back then as ppl were of a smaller stature. it wasn't shrunk that's it size. plus they were ment to be snug so they could be layered under m43 jakets

[@TheFabricTeapot1]

I tried it and it's helped a fair bit. Maybe my extra large son's jumper will now be for his medium sized mum instead of for his 7 year old nephew. lol

[@DeeDee-rh1yc]

Thank you for saving my favorite cardigan ❤

[@TheViolet76]

If this is going to work on my dress and a sweater you are going to be my hero Steve! Accidentally I put them in the dryer with other clothes and almost cried.

[@TheWilderness333]

Well, I really hope it works. Try it a couple times if first one doesn't get it all the way back. Also, some one commented on this video about stretching clothes over a chair for the drying process which would really stretch them. I recommend that.

[@ForBeatrice2012]

Thx so good to see, will be saving a favourite jersey with this advice.

[@RukhsanaMerriseMusic]

You saved my fave jumper! Thanks x

[@soulbot119]

I saw an article today where the guy stretched it out and literally tacked his sweater to a board lol. I'm gonna try this method and see how it works. Might have to go twice, we'll see

[@TheWilderness333]

Good luck! I did it recently myself, still works. Don’t know if I want to put holes in things by tacking them up but…. Lol

[@scouttroop291]

It works just did a army wool. Like that I put over a office chair to dry

[@TheWilderness333]

It depends on how much wool is in the semi wool sweater. If there's not much wool it probably won't work too well, but then again it shouldn't have shrunk much either if it was predominately wool. The weights worked great for me to keep it stretched out while drying and didn't leave any permanent marks. If you're trying to make it longer put weights (or pins) on top and use more to stretch it out at bottom and hopefully that will help. Thanks for watching. :)

[@tommygirlism]

i have a sweater that my friend shrunk and gave it to me and said do what i want with it, but its a nice norweigian sweater.. so my question, do i have to use baby shampoo or conditioner, or regular

[@staceypalmer9606]

Thank you for the video it was really informative.My aunt made a cardigan for my daughter which is too small i hope this works .Take Care.Kind Regards Stacey

[@TheWilderness333]

Thanks! Hope it works for you.

[@rjbowlin]

I wonder if the best way to do this (but least comfortable) would be to treat it as you suggest... and then wear it while its still wet. it would likely dry faster and I imagine it would stretch more evenly throughout.

[@TheWilderness333]

Robert Bowlin could be, the only down side is that is doesn't dry very quickly. These ones took overnight.

[@kyracoach]

Thank you for the video, and you made me laugh at the beginning!

[@tophatandtea9229]

I've shrunk my Barbour jumper, so I hope this works

[@maytelopez6073]

Does fabric softener works? I don’t own any hair conditioner 😣

[@clarkolardo]

Thanks for the video. I think if you block it with a iron it would help also.

[@MrTheomighty1]

Rather than put the conditioner in the sink put it in a jar first and shake it so you have no clumps then pour it in the sink

[@TheWilderness333]

Nice, that's a good idea. :) thanks

[@briargoatkilla]

Funny. My wife knows that if she "accidently" puts one of my sweaters in the drier that it will become hers. I guess I'll go tell her the bad news.

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

So I guess if the chest is fine but the arms are too short then just do the same thing but only stretch on the arms?

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

Looking at the weights I guess you could put it on an ironing board with the sleeves hanging down and find some light-ish weights to hang on the ends somehow. Hmmm...

[@TheWilderness333]

idon'tcare yeah, just stretch out the arms. I’d still stretch out the rest of it a little bit ensuring the chest doesn’t shrink a little (I’ve had that happen). Just stretch the arms more.

[@nickcrosby9875]

Hi and many thanks for this hack, I tried it, it worked. BTW, do you have any further details on the sweater itself, i.e. brand/design etc...Thanks in advance Nick

[@TheWilderness333]

+Nick Crosby It's just a U.S. Military 100% wool sweater, issued by the military, Army I think. You can find them on ebay but they're cheaper at surplus stores.

[@nickcrosby9875]

+TheWilderness333 Many thanks, will track one down....

[@gmtime1]

Thanks! This worked well for an expensive brand, thrift shop merino and possum mix jacket :)

[@AnimeReference]

I washed my merino wool jumper once in cold water and it shrunk to an unwearable state. Air dried on the line too. I've done the stretching a number of times and it's not even close to enough. Now I'm afraid to wash the second one.

[@TheWilderness333]

Jake Surname that's a bummer. Merino wool really shouldn't even shrink that much. I know it does sometimes. I wonder if it's a mistake you could return it for?

[@TheWilderness333]

Thanks! Is the shirt in question wool? I'm just thinking here, not sure if it'll work, but if you soak the sleeves only, in hot water then throw the shirt in the dryer with the sleeves wet but the rest of the shirt dry, it might help. The wet parts should shrink (unless you've already put the whole thing in dryer before) then you might be out of luck. :)

[@janward2232]

Great video! I'm going to try this today!

[@vegetablepolice1]

easyist method I've used is th stretch it in the shower so u can tell if it's fitting loose and or long enough. works on inything but jeans

[@tlc1of3]

Will this work with cashmere?

[@whitemonk92]

Will this work with a wool trench coat?

[@TheWilderness333]

If it's 100% wool than it definitely should work. If it's more like 80% then it might not.

[@whitemonk92]

It's 100%, but it has a silk lining

[@TheWilderness333]

huh... hard call. It should work but I wonder if that silk lining with hinder stretching it out to dry? Can't really hurt so I'd say it's worth a try.

[@BernieMittens]

I have a sweater that a family member gave me thats a small, but need it to be xl. Can I stretch it because its a Ralph Lauren and would love to keep.

[@TheWilderness333]

Jaclyn Bazsika Unfortunately, I kinda doubt it. This works more for something that's already been shrunk. To go from small to xl would be pretty though. You could try though if u have nothing to lose.

[@BernieMittens]

TheWilderness333 I just got it to work. I let it soak in luke warm water and conditioner. Then I took it out and stretched. I then washed in cold water and slightly stretched one more time. Fits perfect.

[@TheWilderness333]

Jaclyn Bazsika Well, that's awesome. glad it worked :)

[@eddiemaarij7083]

i have xl sweater its tight how to make it open

[@anthonyscott4498]

Good stuff but How can a sweater be in a fragile State of mind ?

[@tommygirlism]

can it soak longer than 25 minutes, cause i have to slip out

[@Duffman333]

would this work on my stone island sweatshirt which is 87% wool

[@TheWilderness333]

Yeah, I think so. It might not stretch as much depending on what the other 13% is but it should work for sure.

[@BillGoudy]

Success!! Looks good!!

[@cindycain3301]

Will this work on cotton also?

[@TheWilderness333]

Maybe. Wool just had looser fibers so it works better. But it would likely stretch cotton out some.

[@primalpunch]

Awesome idea! Thank you for sharing this information! Thumbs-up and Favorited.

[@AndrewC312]

Wait so you didn't wash it a second time to get the conditioner out? Will that make it shrink again?

[@TheWilderness333]

I didn't wash it a second time and I let conditioner stay in. Not because you should, I just wanted it done faster. Leaving the conditioner didn't hurt, just smells like conditioner for a bit. It won't ever shrink again unless it gets washed in hot more or, more importantly, put in a dryer.

[@AndrewC312]

Ok, thanks a lot! My hat finished drying yesterday and it's a lot better now =D

[@TheWilderness333]

Awesome, glad it worked!

[@ukdiscountcodes9708]

IT LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME SMALL SIZE AFTER ALL THAT

[@TheWilderness333]

Well, I can assure you that's it's not the same size. It went on significantly easier and is now a much better fit. Give it a shot, it works. Now it's not the full large than it once was but it's quite a bit bigger than when the vid started. Thanks for watching.

[@ukdiscountcodes9708]

does it get bigger if you repeat? Is it a proper large now, or did i ruin a £200 jumper

[@TheWilderness333]

I only tried doing it once, but I bet if you repeated the process it could get bigger. Its certainly worth a shot. It's not a proper large but it was bigger and big enough for me so I didn't continue but after you spent that much I'd try a couple more times. I wouldn't give up yet. :)

[@RamblinVan]

not really

[@noahjirka1121]

DOES THIS WORK ON SMOETHING THAT IS 55%COTTON 45% POLYESTER

[@TheWilderness333]

noah jirka you could try, certainly won't hurt but likely won't work as well as with wool

[@loucipher7782]

i want to know how to shrink a merino wool on purpose? i bought one that is larger size than me and overtime it got really lose lol

[@TheWilderness333]

Lou Cipher Yeah.... several people have commented that they’ve shrunk merino wool things. However, I’ve never shrunk any merino wool. I wash it and dry it and no shrinking. My only suggestion would be hot water and the hottest setting on your dryer. That might help it tighten up a bit but I doubt it’ll shrink. Worth a try I suppose. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisbradshaw9494]

Good job bud 👌

[@mcaruso7897]

Really helpful, thank you!

[@JoyceEnriquez]

OMG It works😁 Thank you so much

[@TheWilderness333]

+Joyce Enriquez Glad it worked!

[@0rder666]

it fucking worked!!!! holy shit. just saved 3 of my fjallraven caps. love it

[@TomsBackwoods]

Great Stuff Steve! Thanks A lot!

[@TheWilderness333]

Then don’t watch, easy peasy.

[@Retamoza673]

I have this jos. A bank lambswool sweater I bought and I followed this video. I left it in the conditioner for too long, too long being a couple of hours... I needed it to be longer, not wider, but it is huge below the arm pits. Should I put it back in the dryer to see it'll shrink it again or what should I do.... any suggestions?

[@najeyrifai1134]

Hey, at least yours goes down to your hands.

[@annatomaszewicz2208]

Najey Rifai rweeffggffsddraasfffaAzzzxxzxsxxxxxxdfetredffefwwwqqdeswegddafxr2dxswwwwaa. .. 1sswąazsdaaaaaaaaaaqwqqwwwqqawqwwtfe. hiiggfffgf0jhu8y667767844ni8iyiujyy87yu8

[@yaslh3534]

Thanks! It worked!

[@countvertigo1788]

Looks like billy corgan from smashing pumpkins.

[@rebeccaprichard141]

Thanks a lot! Trying it now.

[@AprilStrand]

I shrunk my expensive wool sweater... I'm hoping this method works ! It's currently in it's conditioner phase

[@TheWilderness333]

Hope it works!

[@simonpmccullagh6320]

+April Strand did it work?

[@AprilStrand]

Simon P McCullagh it did help quite a bit, didn't go back exactly but was pretty dang close!

[@TheWilderness333]

Hope it works. :) It should. :)

[@SepiRRotH89]

I did that and now I have drain blockage, thanks

[@TheWilderness333]

Weird, I've never seen that happen to anyone else here who's tried it. Sorry that happened. If your drains are prone to blockage try using a bucket.

[@matthewstamper5688]

To quote Gimli: "It's a little tight across the chest".

[@TheWilderness333]

Thanks Tom.

[@podakayne]

cool...i can now give my son back his sweater he accidentkty washed and had to give to me...his mom....he's 29!👍

[@TheWilderness333]

Lol….

[@TheWilderness333]

Nice... I miss that guy...

[@siobhanallen5356]

great job, thanks

[@gabrielwheaton1411]

Thank you!